Top 10 Cleansing Foods for a Natural Detox

Cara HebertApril 6, 20160

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Feeling lethargic and constantly bloated no matter how much you
exercise? It may be time to jumpstart your body and give it a fresh
start with an all-natural detox. Toxins are everywhere – from household
cleaners to
deodorants – and they can have a negative impact on your health. From
getting sick more often to never losing that last 5 lbs., toxin build up
causes your body to waste valuable energy on basic functions. While some
may say the more you sweat, the more toxins you release, this isn’t
necessarily true. More exercise may help you lose weight and feel
better, but toxin removal only comes when you flush your body’s system
from the inside out. By substituting a few of your regular snacks to
“cleansing foods,” your body will function more effectively and thank
you in the long run.

Recently, detox pills and powders have become all the rage, but they’re
unsustainable in the long run. They may help you lose weight fast, but
your body will ultimately rebound and they may have harmful long-term
effects. The key to success is working healthier choices into your
daily routine until they become second
nature. Natural detox foods contain molecules that cling onto toxins and
carry them out of your body. While all cleansing foods have an overall
purifying effect, specific foods are extra helpful to specific areas of
the body. Natural detox foods are everywhere and you might just be
surprised at how tasty they can be. Take a look at our top 10 favorite
cleansing foods and get your body back on track.

Beets

How they help:

Although beets have fairly high sugar content compared to other
vegetables, a few beetroots can go a long way. One of our favorite
natural detox foods, beets contain a group of antioxidants called
betalains, which are excellent for detoxifying your body, and more
specifically your liver. Beets also contain a high concentrate of
betaine, which help to reduce liver inflammation. The antioxidants found
in beets support the liver’s phase 2
cleansing,
when toxins are chemically transformed into a water-soluble form that
can be excreted through urine. On top of this, beets are also high in
immune-boosting vitamin C, vitamin B folate, fiber, potassium and
manganese. Just a few benefits you might see are reduced blood pressure,
reduced inflammation, enhanced stamina, and increased liver function.

How to use them:

More than just a tasty side dish, beets can be worked into your diet in
a number of ways. Trying adding beet juice to your morning smoothie or
as a mid-workout drink to help keep your energy up. If you want to go
the more traditional route, a cup of cooked beets contains only about 60
calories and with a healthy dose of fiber, will keep you feeling full.

Garlic

How it helps:

Garlic contains a little bit of everything our bodies need. Rich in
manganese, vitamin B, vitamin C, and fiber, garlic is low in calories
and high in nutrients. The main compound found in the pod is Allicin, a
component that is known for its anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal
and anti-oxidant properties. Excellent for your digestive and
circulatory systems, fresh garlic is even thought to play a role in
preventing food poisoning by killing bacteria such as E. coli and
salmonella. A truly wondrous natural detox food, garlic has been known
to help treat everything from skin infections like ringworm and athletes
foot to combatting blood clots and lowering cholesterol. It can even
help you to lose weight faster by regulating the formation of fat cells.

How to use it:

While garlic powder may have the same pungent odor and taste, it has
virtually none of the same healing properties as fresh garlic. Try
chopping, mincing or even pureeing fresh garlic and then letting it sit
to draw out the full health effects. While some recommend eating a
crushed garlic pod every day, we won’t go that far. Simply add enough to
flavor your favorite meal and enjoy the benefits of this cleansing food.

Cilantro

How it helps:

Have a fish heavy diet? Worried about toxic heavy metals such as lead or
aluminum getting into your system through your water or even air?
Cilantro may be your new best friend. While it won’t eliminate heavy
metals from your system entirely, cilantro helps to move these toxins
from your deepest body stores back into the blood stream where other
agents can more easily push them out of the body. This fresh-tasting
herb is an excellent source of minerals and vitamins such as potassium,
calcium, folic-acid, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin K. Because of it’s
nutrient rich makeup, Cilantro is known to help with reducing bad
cholesterol, regulating heart rate and blood pressure, and preventing
osteoporosis. It also helps to protect your liver and kidneys against
oxidative stress, or more simply put, an imbalance between free radicals
and the anti-oxidants that neutralize them.

How to use it:

Cilantro is the Spanish word for coriander leaves, meaning that
coriander seeds can also be considered a natural detox food. Fresh
cilantro can revive virtually any meal. Not just for pico de gallo or
salsa, try adding a bit to your morning smoothie or juice for a
delightfully unexpected fresh taste. With so few calories and no
cholesterol, this deep-green cleansing food will be your next favorite
secret ingredient.

Citrus

How it helps:

Most people are aware that oranges contain high amounts of vitamin C.
However, the benefits of other citrus based natural detox foods aren’t
quite as mainstream. Lemons, limes, grapefruits and oranges are all high
in Vitamin C and are great for not only boosting your immune system, but
also for cleansing your internal organs, specifically your colon and
liver. Vitamin C is needed to create a substance called glutathione,
which helps the liver to function and create neutralizing anti-oxidants.
Citrus also contains a high amount of pectin fiber, which binds to bad
cholesterol and heavy metals to carry them out of your system.

How to use it:

Probably the easiest to work into your everyday diet, citrus-based
cleansing foods are a simple addition. Try starting off your day with a
half of grapefruit for breakfast or a glass of fresh-squeezed orange
juice (stay away from the highly-processed juices at the store as these
often contain high amounts of sugar and other additives). Or, try
freshening up your glass of water with a slice of lemon or lime. While
the sound of “citrus infused water” may conjure up images of an
expensive spa, specially designed water bottles make it easy to add the
health benefits of any of these citrus foods to your water.

Bentonite Clay

How it helps:

More than just an ingredient for natural healing
toothpaste, bentonite clay
acts as a “chemical sponge,” and is one of the most effective ways to
cleanse your system daily. Composed of volcanic ash and named for the
largest known deposit in Fort Benton, Wyoming, this clay amazingly
absorbs and binds to heavy metals, bacteria, mycotoxins, radiation and
even pro-inflammatory compounds. When combined with water, bentonite
clay produces an “electrical charge” and rapidly swells open, drawing in
and binding toxins. This healing clay also has a high concentration of
minerals including calcium, iron, silica and potassium. With the ability
to be used both internally or externally, bentonite clay can help skin
and allergy issues, acid reflux, constipation, and even speed up
recovery time for skin wounds.

How to use it:

Purchasing bentonite clay can be a little tricky and often confusing.
It’s most commonly found at health food stores and comes in a variety of
types, some of which may bind to beneficial nutrients or contain harmful
compounds. When searching, look for a calcium form and be sure to
research whether it comes from a clean source with no risk of toxic
contamination. Calcium forms do not bind to any nutritional vitamins or
minerals in the body and will range from a grey to cream color. Beware
any bentonite clay that is close to pure white, as these forms are
suspect. Try using bentonite clay externally as a mud mask or mix a
teaspoon with a glass of water to help balance gut bacteria.

Blueberries

How they help:

More than just a cleansing food, blueberries are the definition of a
true super food. Filled with iron, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, zinc
and vitamin K, blueberries can help to lessen tissue-damaging effects of
chronic inflammation, block bacteria in the urinary tract, prevent
toxins from crossing the blood-brain barrier, maintain and strengthen
bone structure, lower blood pressure, and even fight wrinkles. The
vitamin A, vitamin C and various phytonutrients found in blueberries
function as powerful antioxidants, which help protect your body against
damage from free radicals. Because of antioxidants ability to slow tumor
growth and lessen inflammation, some studies suggest that blueberries
may even help to ward off or slow several types of cancer.

How to use them:

Low in calories, yet high in nutrients, blueberries can be a deliciously
healthy addition to your everyday diet. Try starting your day with a cup
of fresh blueberries or add them to your smoothie. Compact and filled
with fiber, blueberries also make a great snack between meals that keep
you feeling full and satiated. If you’re looking to drop some pounds,
try replacing your dessert or sweet treat with a cup of fresh
blueberries instead. Their high fiber component will help you to feel
full for longer, thereby reducing your urge for late night snacks, and
their natural sweetness will satisfy your craving for sugar.

Cranberries

How they help:

Perhaps best known for their help in preventing urinary tract
infections, these natural detox foods boast a long list of cleansing
benefits. Cranberries contain high amounts of proanthocyanidins (PACs)
and help fight off infection by reducing the ability of certain bacteria
to adhere to the urinary tract walls. These same PACs, also help prevent
bacteria from binding to teeth and platelets building up in the heart,
making cranberries a useful weapon in the war against gum disease and
heart disease.

How to use them:

While cranberry juices may be easy and delicious, their overall health
benefits are lacking. Some juices may still help to cleanse toxins more
effectively, however it takes a large amount of cranberries to reap the
full rewards. In addition, in order to make the juices appealing, the
concentration of actual cranberries is severely lowered. You’re unlikely
to see any benefits by the time it reaches your bladder. Instead, try
working dried cranberries into your homemade trail mix or include a
handful of frozen cranberries into your smoothie for a tart treat.

Chia Seeds

How they help:

More than just a sprouting plant for your office cubicle, chia seeds are
jam-packed with fiber, calcium, iron, phosphorous and antioxidants. A
lesser known fact about these cleansing foods, chia seeds are able to
hold up to 12 times their weight in water and if soaked for over 30
minutes, will form a gel. When in your stomach, this gel reaction forms
a barrier and slows down your digestion to create a sustained release of
energy. While chia seeds do contain a high amount of carbohydrates, the
majority of those carbs are actually fiber. According to the American
Dietetic Association, one serving of chia seeds can provide the
recommended daily amount of fiber. This soluble fiber acts as a
prebiotic in order to support the growth of probiotics in the gut.

So, what does this all mean? Basically, chia seeds will increase your
fullness and give you a steady release of energy over a prolonged period
of time to help you consume fewer calories, all while promoting
healthier digestion and balancing the bacteria in your gut. On top of
this, chia seeds also contain the ability to reverse inflammation, lower
blood pressure, reverse oxidative stress, and help your body absorb
vitamins.

How to use them:

Chia seeds have a very neutral taste, making them easy to sprinkle onto
just about any food. Toss them into your favorite salad for added crunch
or roll them onto the top of your sandwich for a unique and pleasant
texture changeup.

Apples

How they help:

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. More than just a nursery school
rhyme, these are words to live by. Similar to grapefruits and oranges,
apples contain a high amount of pectin, which binds to bad cholesterol
and heavy metals, eliminating them from the body and cleansing the
intestines. By reducing your cholesterol, apples aid in everything from
preventing gallstones to increasing heart health. Apples also contain an
antioxidant called quercetin, which helps boost and fortify your immune
system and even deliver more oxygen to the lungs for increased
endurance.

How to use them:

Working apples into your diet isn’t rocket science. Sub out your
afternoon snack for a fresh apple or add some slices to your juice or
smoothie. However, dried apples might be a welcomed changeup. Try
snacking on them alone or adding dried apples to your homemade trail
mix. Their natural sweetness is the perfect compliment to the tart dried
cranberries mentioned earlier.

Kale

How it helps:

Kale is one fad that we can definitely get on board with. High in
antioxidant compounds, iron, fiber and more, Kale can help with anything
from neutralizing compounds found in cigarette smoke to strengthening
liver function. One of our favorite cleansing foods, did you know that
kale has more iron per calorie than beef? This iron concentration helps
to support cell growth, liver function, oxygen transportation and
hemoglobin formation. Mix this with Kale’s high level of antioxidants
and you’ve got the perfect recipe for protecting heart health, lowering
blood pressure, and reducing inflammation. Given Kale is high in fiber
and water content, it also helps to prevent constipation and promote a
healthy digestive tract to push toxins out faster.

How to use it:

How to work kale into your diet is wholly dependent on your personal
likes and dislikes of its taste and texture. If you don’t mind the taste
and texture, massage a cup of kale with a light salad dressing to
replace your normal iceberg lettuce or arugula. If you find it too tough
while raw, try sautéing it in pan with a little olive oil and garlic to
soften it up and mask the taste.

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Cara Hebert

Cara Hebert is a writer who received her BFA from Boston University. An avid traveller and citizen of nowhere and everywhere, Cara has lived all over the world including North Carolina, London, Massachusetts, Maine, Georgia, Illinois, and Connecticut. She began her career working at a newspaper and has since transitioned into the freelance market. Having been raised by a vegetarian mother who despised sugar and GMOs, Cara has always been interested in sharing the knowledge of healthy living. When she’s not busy writing, you can find her hanging out with her three dogs.